Coco Chanel's real name was Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel. She was born in 1893 in Loire Valley, France. After her mother died when she was young, she was sent to an orphanage. During World War 1, she moved to Deauville where she opened her first hat shop. In 1922, she created her famous perfume Chanel No. 5. Some of her most famous fashion creations included the little black dress and the cardigan jacket. She worked as a designer until her death in 1971 at the age of 88.